Idaho ranchers cheer ban on 'downer' cows

Published: Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003 11:06 p.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
TWIN FALLS, Idaho — The federal government on Tuesday banned the slaughter for human consumption of so-called downer cows, giving politician-rancher Bruce Newcomb exactly what he wanted.

The government ban followed last week's discovery of mad cow disease in a Washington dairy cow that found its way into the food chain.

"Ranchers would never do that," said Newcomb, the speaker of the Idaho House of Representatives who runs a cattle ranch in south-central Idaho. "When I get a downer cow, I put a bullet in her."

Typically, downer cows that can no longer walk are old dairy cows whose meat can bring dairy farmers a little extra revenue. The USDA estimates 130,000 are brought to slaughterhouses nationwide every year and those showing symptoms of mad cow disease are tested.

State statistics were not available on the number of Idaho dairies sending downer cows to slaughter for human consumption. But veterinarian Bill Stouder of Wendell said the number is minimal and a ban would have little impact on dairy income in the state.

Newcomb believes the ban should extend to cows with high temperatures or other symptoms of illness.

Story continues below

Idaho Cattle Association President Cevin Jones said his group supports the ban, calling it "an aggressive response that complements an already superior system that safeguards human and animal health."

Members of the congressional delegation had been uncertain about a ban on slaughter of all downer cows. Republican Reps. Mike Simpson and Butch Otter both were in the narrow majority that defeated a ban last July. The ban was approved by the Senate on an unrecorded voice vote but then dropped during negotiations on the federal budget.

Opponents like Otter and U.S. Sen. Larry Craig believed an across-the-board ban on slaughtering downer cattle for human consumption would eliminate stock that is suitable for consumption — animals with broken legs, for example.

But retired Twin Falls veterinarian Charles Lenkner supported the unequivocal ban.

"Those who have not had the opportunity to do a post-mortem on a Holstein that has lain around, flopped around, crawled around on hard dirt or concrete or even mud for a few days may not appreciate the tissue damage done just by weight and pressure," Lenkner said.

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

previousnext

Latest comments

It should come as no surprise that American and British casualties have...

Millsap will be an average player in Portland. Roy runs that team and the...

I had to re-read the article after reading these posts. I didn't read...

Many people obviously love Brother Pratt, but my heart goes out to his...

2 men cited in trespassing on LDS plaza

Why does inacceptable behavior become justifiable under the guise of...

I hope I am not speaking too quickly, but in the about ten comments I have...

It is ZION for your information---- for now anyway. Secede?? Why should we...

We could pull out of this recession by extending the Bush tax cuts that are...

| 9:21 a.m. July 10, 2009 I'm not surprised to hear that Sen Bennett is...

It ain't over till the fat lady gets the red dress.

Advertisements